
Culture & The Arts
Articles on contemporary society--its beliefs, values, and accomplishments; plus, original poetry and fiction
Mar 1, 2023
Credit Where Credit Is Due
"I would like to share how I create music, but more importantly, where my music comes from."
Mar 1, 2023
The Lottery
“The state lottery is just about the only financial vehicle that offers certain folks a realistic opportunity to materially impact their economic circumstances.”
Jan 15, 2023
Educating Christians
“We must teach our children a totally counter-cultural model of nature. We must teach the doctrines of our Faith, not as exceptions to natural law, but as the highest expressions of natural law.”
Jan 15, 2023
The Barrier-Breaking Power of Music
"We were both smiling from ear to ear, unable to communicate with words, music our only form of communication."
Jan 15, 2023
The Crucible Challenge Winner: Integrity vs. Life
We are thrilled to share with you the winning essay from our first Young Writers Challenge, this one conducted exclusively at Cabrini High School in New Orleans. Our winner, Grace Krzenski, answered the prompt, "Why do you think Arthur Miller decided to call his play 'The Crucible' and which definition of crucible do you think Miller had in mind when he wrote his play?" Grace's essay has also awarded her $100. Congratulations, Grace!
Jan 15, 2023
That Time You Told a Sunrise Lie
"...words are also just hollowed statements to avoid the truth. It’s far too tempting a cover-up. We love ideals, but we don’t like what they require."
Nov 30, 2022
A Simple Christmas
"There comes a time when our souls need more respite than even the traditions of Christmas can offer us."
Nov 30, 2022
Handel’s Messiah
"There is only one full proof indication that Christmas is coming: the endless performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Yup, it’s that time of year!
Nov 30, 2022
‘Happy Holidays’ vs. ‘Merry Christmas’: A Twist
"The argument for the “Happy Holidays” greeting is that because Christians have been imperialistic, and have erased everyone else (including Jews) from American culture, they now need to include us."
Nov 30, 2022
That Time You Weren't Exceptionally Divine
They say that a watched pot never boils. That’s a lie. It does boil, but do you know what doesn’t?
Oct 15, 2022
Pronouns
Next time someone asks you for your ‘pronouns,’ try telling them, ‘you/you’…see what happens.
Oct 15, 2022
Kandinsky: The Painter of Other Worlds
The role of the artist is to challenge “common sense,” to point out the unrecognized assumptions that underpin naïve realism and to suggest certain directions we might travel in pursuit of deeper truth.
Oct 15, 2022
The Unexpected Sophistication of B Movies
Pulling that off was more artistic in his opinion than any of the “new age” stuff out there pushing the envelope.
Oct 15, 2022
Be a Bee
Why ‘milk and honey?’ Why not ‘sour grapes and corn mash?’ Turns out, it’s all about the honey!
Sep 1, 2022
Learn to Swym
“Language Endures. We Don’t” – now that is a bumper sticker!
Sep 1, 2022
Social Dynamics
So, the thousands of people out there in America outside the herd are finding each other.
Jul 13, 2022
How to Coach an Undefeated Football Team
If football is nothing else, it is a metaphor for life. The values of determination, responsibility, teamwork, flexibility, and focus apply to every aspect of life, not just football. This is a formula for success on a football field, but it is also a formula for success in life.
May 31, 2022
Haiku Corner
Does this formal rigor seem like it would be inhibiting? The reverse is true. It’s liberating!
May 31, 2022
Mary Poppins, Sufi Master
The story of Mary Poppins is the story of one small boy’s initiation into the teachings of Sufi spirituality and the secrets of Sufi mysticism. When the initiation of Michael Banks is complete, Michael has come, at least in some measure, to know the mind of God. Not bad for seven-years-old!